Perugia: The perfect, tiny streets you have always dreamed about Past Review

By (Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/21/2016 to 06/25/2016 with

Arcadia: ISI Perugia - The Umbra Institute Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained confidence in myself as a solo traveler. I also gained confidence in my ability to use the italian language.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Roommate matching could have been better

* Food:

No meal plan, but plenty of good places to eat in the city center!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

No interaction with Italian students. Some workshops on italian customs (pizza making, aperitivo, etc).

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

They had the head of the florence police department come in and give us safety tips.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It was my dream come true.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I used about 200 euros a week on groceries, treats and eating out.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? To be honest, the program was pretty short so I let myself spend less mindfully than I probably should have.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Friendliness of Staff
  • Class Options
* What could be improved?
  • Roommate Matching
  • Amount of Classwork Assigned
  • Better Integration with Italian Students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? N/A

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Photography: Portfolio of Perugia

Course Department: Studio Art
Instructor: Philippa Stannard
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Philippa was incredible! I learned a lot with her. She mde me fall even more in love with photography.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Man and Modern Myth

Course Department: Art History, Italian Studies-Interdisciplinary
Instructor: Ernesto Livorni - Ph.D
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: None